There comes a point in every MMA fighter’s career where a change in training habits becomes necessary in order to get to the next level of competition. Whether it’s nutritional, coaching or training partner alterations, a fighter that truly wants to excel needs to eventually branch out. The time has come for Brett Rogers (12-4-1) to do just that.

Rogers, currently fighting under the Bellator banner, has made his way to train with American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. The transition in training preparation is for Bellator Fighting Champoinship’s upcoming Heavyweight Tournament airing live via MTV2 starting tonight.

“Da Grim” is hoping the change will show him the way to success in the tourney as he made clear in a recent press release on the matter.

“I’ve found a new home here at American Top Team and owe a lot of thanks to them. Coming here has changed my outlook on my career and life, in general, and I’m going to show the world that,” Rogers stated.

Conversely, on the topic of Rogers, head trainer and Jiu Jitsu black belt, Ricardo Liborio said, “Brett has demonstrated a sincere re-commitment to his career and to becoming a more well-versed fighter.”

“I always thought Brett could be one of the most dangerous heavyweights in MMA because of his raw strength and punching power, but that he was also lacking the ground fighting skills necessary to succeed at the highest level of the sport. That’s all changing now and, come next month, people will start seeing that,” Liborio added.

Prior to making his way through the MMA ranks, Rogers worked a humble career as a tire technician at Sam’s Club. In 2005, he began pummeling his way through opponents with efficient and brutal knockout wins. Perhaps, most notably, the iron fisted Rogers has both a quick and devastating KO win over former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski but has seen his once perfect record skid over the past few years. A recent string of losses to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, and Josh Barnett may have convinced Rogers a change was needed. Rogers has found success in his new promotion, getting back into winning fashion with a June finish of Kevin Asplund at Bellator 71.

“When I get in the cage on October 5 people are going to see a different Brett Rogers ”“ better skilled and more confident than ever,” explained the clearly hungry heavyweight.

Hopefully, with the changes that Rogers has made in his management team and the addition of a workable ground game, he is able to become a more complete fighter while in the hands of American Top Team.